This project involved resolving the fact that above this small pantry room was a "meditation room" that was in need of access. To do this we designed this ladder which is fastened to the wainscoting. The wall which this ladder is attached to is in fact the same wall that cane be seen in the "Bathroom" link. It is the soffet above the toilet.

The ladder is made of Red Oak and is 14 feet in total length. Each step was inserted into a dado which is located on the stringer at equal intervals. The top step was to be the same height as the floor in the meditation room so that when the access hatch was closed a uniform floor surface was the result in the meditation room. The handles were milled from the same piece which was used for the stringers so that the grain would effectively match perfectly. They were then re-attached with brass screws and the holes subsequently plugged. The finish on this ladder consists of four coats of a water-borne floor finish (Pacific Strong) which was applied by hand and subsequently buffed in between each coat. The result of this process is a durable finish without a great deal of build-up of the finish, which avoids that "plastic" look that is associated with finish build-up.

The wainscoting here is of Vertical Grain (VG) fir.

At the top of this photo you can see the detail involving the floor of the meditation room, the access hatch and the top step of the ladder.

This work was contracted by Mark Nelson of Nelson's Woodworks. A majority of the work was performed by Steven P. Daffinrud of Angelheart Woodworking.

This page last updated 04/11/07